Automatic ice tray



0a. 28, 1941. c. ARN Y 2,260,363

AUTOMATIC ICE TRAY Filed June 1'7, 1940 INVENTOR (er a j 6044a! ATTQRNEYS- Patented Oct. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v ao'roiuiiiz rta TRAY I Cliflord RI. Carney, Detroit, Mich. Application June 17, 1940, Serial No. 340,905

ful improvements in ice grid and tray structures relating'particularly to such structures having aremovable grid disposed in the, tray, said grid being provided with movable members actuated by a lever systemcarried by the grid.

Heretofore considerable dimculty has been experienced in efl'ecting the release of the ice block partitioning mechanism or grid from the tray or pan and also in effecting the removal'of the individual ice blocks or cubes from the grid and tray;

It is a principal object of the present invention to overcomethese dimculties and to provide a durable, conveniently operable ice tray and rid-structure effective'for easily and promptly releasing ice blocks from the grid and tray, an

for releasing the grid from the tray. I Another object of theinvention is to provide a verse members mounted on substantially upright grid structure having substantially upright translongitu'dinal members and to provide for a movement of' certain of such grid members for freeing the ice blocks or cubes from freezing contact with the grid or tray. More particularly, I propose to efl'ect a generally lateral movement or spreading. of said longitudinal members andalso to effect a generally longitake place successively rather than simultaneously.

A further object of the invention is to pro-- vide novel mechanical actuating means for accomplishing the aforementioned movements of the grid members, and to attain such movements through a lever system carried by the grid. As a part of this system,a single manually operable handle is preferably provided which is operably connected with the grid members, said handle moving said longitudinal members through operating means or members carried by the longitudinal members and operably associated with the handle. For moving the longitudinal members, cam-like portions are preferably provided on said operating members which contact relatively fixed portions of the vide improved means for easily removing the the one arranged to be moved by the operating lever system.

.Another object of the invention is to make the-ice grid and tray structure of the present invention self-contained, thereby eliminating the necessity for ice removing aids or means separate from the grid and tray, such, for instance,

'-as warming the structure or applying an extraneous implement to partsthereof.

It is another object of the invention to progrid from the tray, since the grid is not only freed from the tray by movementof the aforesaid operating handle and lever system, but said handle provides a convenient handgrip for lifting the grid from the tray and for returning it to the tray after the removal of the ice blocks.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide, a clip member, preferably carried by the operatinglever or handle, for maintaining the longitudinal grid members in a relatively unspread condition during the freezing of the ice blocks substantially along the line '2-2 of Fig. 1

- the arrows. I I

Fig. 4 is a partial top plan view of the form appended claims, refer'encebeing had to the accompanying-drawing forming a part of this spe-, ciflcation wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

, Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of an ice tray and grid structure embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a 'cross sectional view .of the form of the invention shown in Fig. "l, and is taken in the direction of the arrows. v

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the form of the invention shown in Fig; ,1, and is taken.

along theline 3- -3 'of Fig. 2 in the direction of of the invention shown in Fig. 1. x

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but shows th parts of the structure in an ice removing posi-'- tion.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is notiimited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illusof being practiced or carried out in various ways.

\ Also it is to be understood that the phraseology grid, such as the transverse members other'than, or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it aluminum. The reference numeral H represents, in general, a grid removably disposed in the tray l0. This grid, when so disposed. provides a'piurality of compartments in which a liquid body is-confined and. frozen into ,cubes or into blocks of any other desired shape. The grid ll comprises a plurality. of longitudinally spaced relatively fixed transverse members [2, and a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal members l3 and I4. The longitudinal members are provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced gen erallyivertically disposed slots [5 (Fig. 3) which extend froma point adjacent the upper part of the longitudinal members to a point adjacent their lower edges. Immediately below each slot l5 there is provided in the longitudinal members an aperture or 'notch l6 which is situated in a vertical plane relative to the slot l5. The longitudinal members l3 and 14 are. mounted in assembled relation with respect to the relatively fixed transverse members l2 by the insertion of portions of each transverse member in the slots l5 of the longitu nal members (Fig. 1). In addition the tra ers'e members areprovided with a pair'of apertures or notches I! (Fig. 2)

through which extend .fiange-like portions of the longitudinarmembers.

It will be observed" that the upper edges of each of the fixed transverse members l2 are formed with a pair of compound slots I 3 (Fig. 2). Each slot I3 is defined .at its outer end by 'an edge portion IQ of the transverse member, and at its intermediate parttby the edge portion 20 of the transverse member. The inner part' of each slot I8 is defined by the edge portion 2| of the transverse member which is offset from the portion 23 in the manner clearly indicated in Fig. 2. The portion 24, .it will be observed, is

generally angularly inclined. Accordingly, the portions 23 and 2| of .the transverse member define an inwardly extending portion of the compound slot l3. Expressed in another way, this inwardly extendingmortion constitutes a recess 22 having a generally angularly inclined wall defined by the portion'2l.

particular its inclined wall, is especially useful This recess, in

bers are so located with respect to the slots l3, that the longitudinal .members l3 and I4 'are inclined angularly from the vertical. More'par- .ticuiarly, these longitudinal-members l3 and M are in thenormal or ice freezing position in-' 65 clined angularly,toward each other and rest adjacent to or against the edge portions23 ofthe transverse members. The lo gitudinal members l3 andi 4 are laterally movable toward a completely vertical position, that' is, they are movable away from the edge portions 20 until stopped by the edge portions l9 As indicated hereinbefore, however, the transverse members l2- are relatively fixed and vare substantially vertically positioned although they may move slightly within the slots l5, see Fig. 3. However, this movement is very limited. 4

The reference numeral 23 represents a mo able transverse member additional to the afore- 5 mentioned relatively fixed transverse members l2. This movable .transverse member 23- is mounted on the longitudinal members 13 and I4. In this connection,.an aperture or notch 24 (Fig. 3) is provided in the lower edge of each of the longitudinal members and a flange-like portion of the movable transverse member 23 projects therethrough. Also, the upper edge of each of the longitudinal members l3 and I4 is formed with a compound slot 25 generally similar to the 15 compound slots I8 in the transverse members I2.

Referring in particular to-Fig. 3, each slot 25is defined at its forward end by an edge portion 23 of the longitudinal member and at-its intermediate part by the edge portion 21 of the longitudinal member. The rear part' of each slot25,

is defined by an edge portion 28 ofthe longitudinal member which is offset longitudinally from the e portion 21. The movable transverse mem r 23 is provided with a pair of generally vertically disposed slots 29 (Fig. 1) through which extend the longitudinal members l3 and H. The upper portion of the movable transi verse, member 23, that is, the portion above the slot 23, is disposed in the compound slot 25, of

0 the longitudinal members. Moreover, the aperture 24 and the compound slot 25 are so positioned with respect to each other that the movable transverse member 23 is normally inclined in the direction of the substantially fixed trans- 5 verse members l2 and normally rests against the sition, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, until stopped by the edge portion 26 of the longitudinal members. The means for so' moving the transverse member 23 constitute a part of the ice removing mechanism of the present invention and is fully described hereinafter.

" The longitudinal members l3 and I4 and the movable transverse member 23 are moved toward the vertical by a lever system carried by the grid II. This lever system includes a pair of actuating members 33-30. one of which is associated with each of the longitudinal members I 3 and I 4 and extends lengthwise of said memberin the space between the' longitudinal members. Each of the members 30 is pivoted to one of the longitudinal members and I4 as shown at 3| and 32 (Figs. 1, 4 and 5). These members 33 are provided with cam-like portions 33 which-project inwardly into the space between the longitudinal members l3 and I4. Each of these cam-like portions 33 is generally ver tically inclined and is arranged to fit within one of the recesses 22 in the substantially fixed transverse members l2 so that its inclined sur-' face lies immediately adjacent the inclined wall vertical by sliding overthe inclined walls of the recesses 22 .in the manner explained hereinafter.

The forward end of each of they actuating members 30 is inwardly curved as shown at 34 7 and 3 5jandlies immediately adjacent the longi- 31 is pivoted to the longitudinal members l3 and l4 as shown at 33 (Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive).

In addition to theinclined part 36 of the lever 31, it will be noted that this lever is provided with an additional forwardly and upwardly inclined portion 39, and that both the inclined portions 33 and 33 lie adjacent the pivot 38. Moreover. the inclined portion 38 is so constructed that it possesses an inclination substantially the same as that of the movable transverse member 23 when in the normal or ice forming position. Thus, when the lever 31 is in the positionshown in Fig. 1,,the inclined portion 39 lies immedimembers l3 and I4 are stopped by the outer edge portions IQ of the compound slots l3 within which the longitudinal members move.

' It will thus be observed that the lever 31 simultaneously moves each of the longitudinal members I3 and I4 toward a vertical position, and at the same time moves the movable transverse -.clined part 36 of the member 31, that movement of the longitudinal members and of the ately adjacent the rear face of the member 23,

as indicated in solid lines in Fig. 3. On movement of. the lever 31 this inclined portion 33 is adapted to exert a camming force to move the transverse member 23 toward the vertical as pointed out in later passages hereof. The lever 31 is provided with a clip 40 which may comprise a cross piece fixed to the lever 31 and having turned down ends. as clearly shown in Fig. 1. This clip functions 'to hold the longitudinal members 13 and 14 in their most inclined or ice forming position, when the lever 31 is in its lowered position, and thereby aids in rigidly holding the parts of th freezing of theice blocks or cubes.

The operation of the aforesaid lever system carried by the grid I for moving the longitudinal contacts the rear face of the movable transverse member 23 and moves this member from its normal inclined position toward the upright or vertical position as clearly indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. This movement of the, movable transverse member 23 may continue until the member 23 is stopped by the forward wall (shown at 26) of the slot 25 within which the member 23 moves. Continued movement of the lever 31 causes the bent portions 34 and 35 of the actuating members 30 to contact the sides of'the lever 31 and to be elevated by the inclined portion 36 of the operating lever 31 which is moved with respect to the bent portions 34 and 35 and causes a lifting of the actuating members 30 about the pivots 3| 'and 32 relative to the longitudinal members l3 and 14. At the same time the actuating members 33-33 are laterally spread apart by the action of the inclined portion 33 in moving with respect to the bent portions 34 and 35. This combined spreading and lifting movement of the members 30, in particular the lifting thereof, slides the angularly inclined cam-like portions 33 over the angularly inclined walls, shown at 2!, of the recesses 22, which sliding further moves the actuating members 30-30 in 'a lateral direction.

This lateral movement of the actuating members 30-30 is immediately transferred to the longitudinal members 13 and i 4 to which the members 30 are attached and moves the longitudinal members from their inclined position toward a substantially upright or vertical position.

movement may continue until the longitudinal This - to the otherone.

movable transverse member could be rendered successive rather than simultaneous or one such movement could be started or completed prior It will also be understood that the present ice removing mechanism may be very readily returned, after removal of the ice blocks, by the simple expedient of returning the lever 31 from its raised position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 to its lowered position shown in Fig. 1.

1 the movable transverse member 23 to return to grid together during the its inclined position, and this member is inclined at an angle such that it will return by gravity. Preferably, but not necessarily, this angle is approximately 10 relative to the horizontal. Also, on returning the lever 31 to its position shown in Fig. 1, the cam-like portions 33 are again fitted within the recesses 22 thereby loweling'the actuating members 30 and permitting the longitudinal members l3 and M to return to their inclined positions. ends of the clip 40 again placed over the edges of the longitudinal members 13 and I4 to hold them in the normal angularly inclined or ice forming position.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the present grid and tray structure provides a conveniently operable structure which'is efiective in releasing ice blocks or cubes from the grid necessity for ice removing aids or means separate from the grid and tray structure such as warming the structure, or utilizing an extraneous implement or tool.

I claim: Y

' 1. An ice tray and grid structure which comprises an ice tray, a grid in said tray comprising a pair of angularly inclined longitudinal members and a plurality of substantially upright transverse members, said grid members being mounted with respect to each other so that said longitudinal members are movable in a lateral direction relative to the tray and one of said transverse members is movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the tray while the remainder of said transverse members are relatively immovable, actuating members associated with said longitudinal members for moving said movable grid-members, and a lever carried by said longitudinal. members for operating said actuating members to move said longitudinal members, said lever having connections effective to move said transverse member.

2. An ice tray and grid structure .which comprises an ice tray, a grid removably' disposed in said tray-comprising a pair of angularly inclined movable longitudinal members and a plurality of In addition, the turned down I members by movin 1 position. 1

5 generally vertically disposed transverse members one' of which is movable from an angular position towards the verticalposition, and means carried by the grid for moving said movable grid members including force transferring members having cam portions for contacting fixed portions .of the grid and a lever pivoted to the longitudinal members for operating said force transferring g said cam portions over said fixed portions for moving said longitudinal members from said angularly inclined position towards the vertical position, said lever also moving said movable transverse member toward the. vertical ,3. An ice tray and grid structure which comprises an ,ice tray, 2. grid'dispose'd in said tray comprising a pair of angularly inclined longitudinal members, a plurali ofrelatively fixed upright transverse-members, an angularly inclined transverse member, said longitudinal members and said angularly inclined transverse member being movable toward the vertical, and meansfor so moving said movable grid members com- .prising an actuating member carried by each longitudinal member and having cam portions normally'fitting within recesses in said fixed transverse members and a' lever pivoted to said longitudinal niembersfor moving said cam portions over the recess defining portions of said fixed transverse members for moving said longitudinal members toward the vertical 'position,

ara'tor member and a plurality of transverse separator-members, at least one of said transverse separator members being movable from an angularly inclined position towards the .vertical position and theremainder of said, transverse members being relatively immovable, and means for moving such inclined transverse member toward a completely vertical position-including a lever pivoted to the longitudinal members and having a portion for contacting said movable transverse member.

9. A structure as set forth in claim 8 in which said pivoted lever is provided with an angularly inclined portion adjacent its pivot, theslanting surface of which possesses substantially the same angular inclination as that of the inclined trans verse member and lies immediately adjacent said member for eifecting movement of the same upon actuation of the lever.

10. A grid for an ice tray comprising a plu-,

rality of substantially fixed generally vertically disposed transverse separator members provided with edge portions defining transversely spaced recesses, a pair of transversely spaced longitudinal separator members mounted on said relative ly fixed transverse members at an angle from the said'lever also contacting said angularly inclined movabletra'nsverse member for moving it toward the vertical position thereby releasing ice from said grid and tray. Y

4. A. structure as set forth in'claim 3 in which the pivoted lever is provided with a clip for retaining the longitudinal members in their angu- (larly inclined position when said lever is in-its folded position. I

5. Anice tray and grid structure which 'com-' prises an ice tray, a removable grid'disposed in said tray including a plurality of'relatively fixed upright transverse members and a pair of longitudinal members moimtedon said transverse vertical and being movable toward a vertical position, an additional transverse member mounted on said longitudinal members and movable thereon' from an angularly inclined position towards thevertical position, grid actuating means comprising an operating member carried by eachlongitudinal member and each disposed to lie within one of the transversely spaced recesses of 'said transverse members and having cam portions fitted within said recesses when said longitudinal members are in their most inclined position, and a hand operable lever carried by said longitudinal members and movable from a folded or inoperative position for moving said cam portions' over the edge'portions defining the transversely spacedre'cesses of said fixed transverse members to lift and spread'apart said actuating members and thereby to move said longitudinal members for movement from an angularly in- I clined position toward a vertical position, and a means for so moving said longitudinal members comprising a pair of actuating members carried by and extending longitudinally of said-longitudinal members and having cam portions for contacting said fixed transverse members and a lever operably associated with said actuating members for moving said-cam portions over said fixed members and thereby to move said longitudinal members toward a vertical position. 1

6. A structure as set forth in claim 5 in which a the cam portions of the actuating members are members are provided with recesses having generally angularly inclined walls whereby sliding movement of said cam portions over said walls moves said actuating members for moving said longitudinal members toward a vertical position.

7. A structure as set forth in claim 5 in which said lever is pivoted to said longitudinal members, and said actuating members possess curved portions lying adjacent the pivoted lever and are adapted to be contacted thereby for generally lateral movement, thereby moving said longitudinal members toward a vertical position.

8. An ice tray and grid structure which con prises an'ice tray, a grid in said tray comprising a pair of substantially upright longitudinal sepangularly inclined with reference to the bottom of the tray and said relatively fixed transverse position- 12. Agridfor an ice tray comprising a pin rality of substantially fixed upright transverse members havingedge portions defining trans- .versely spaced recesses, a pair of transversely spaced longitudinal-members mounted on said substantially-fixed transverse members at an angular inclinationtoward' each other and bein movabletoward a vertical position, an additional transverse member mounted on said longitudinal members and movable from an angular position toward a vertical position, an actuating member carried by each longitudinal member and having cam portions extending into said transversely spaced recesses of the fixed transverse members to engage the edge portions thereof, and a hand operable lever pivoted to said longitudinal members for moving said cain'portions over the recess defining edge portions of said fixed transverse members tolift and spread apart said actue ating members and thereby to move said longitudinal members towardthe vertical position? said lever also contacting said additional transverse member for moving it toward the vertical position.

13. A grid for an ice tray comprising a plurality of substantially fixed generally vertically disposed transverse members provided with-transversely spaced angularly inclined edge portions.

defining spaced recesses, a pair of transversely I tical position, an additional transverse member mounted on said longitudinal members and movable i'rom an angular position towards the 'vertical position, ice removing means comprising an operating member carried by each longitudinal member and having angularly inclined cam portions engaging the angularly inclined edge portions defining the spaced recesses of the transverse members when said longitudinal members are in their angularly inclined position, and a manually operable lever pivoted to said longisee 5 tudinal members for lifting said operating members to move said cam portions over said angularly inclined edge portions of said recesses to m said longitudinal members toward the verti position, said lever also contacting said additional transverse member for moving it angularly toward the vertical position.

14. A structure as set forth in claim 12 in which said actuating members are provided with curved portions lyi g adjacent an inclined portionof said lever whereby movement 01 said lever spreads said actuating members apart in addition to lifting them for moving said longitudinal members toward. a'vertical position.

15. A structure as set forth in claim 13 in which said lever possesses an upwardlyinclined portion and said actuating members possess curved portions lying over said inclined portion so that movement of said lever lifts and also spreads said actuating members apart.

. CLIFFORD R. CARNEY. 

